Electric bail way-signal



H. J. FAUBEL-L W. HOACH.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY SIGNAL.

AEPLlcATxoN man 1uNE25. 1915.

1,1 94,981. Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

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Patented Aug. 15

H1. FAUBEL & W. ROACH.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION F1LED1uNE25,v19\5.

1,194,981. Patented Aug. 15,1916.

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` HENRY J. FAUBEL AND WILLIAMRQACH, oEALLiivoEroifiio.

ELECTRIC EAILWAYLSIGL y fr Y.

specification` of Letters Patent.

To all whom t may concern: l

Be it known that we, HENRY J. FAUBEL and vWILLIAM RoAoH, citizens of the United States, residing at Alliance, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented new.y

and useful Improvements in Electric Itailway-Signals, of which the following'is a specification. y.

This invention relates to electric railway f signals. 1

In carrying out our invention it is our purpose to provide the rails of a track which are seated upon metallic ties, with an electric railway signal, which is actuated by the wheels of the train, and which will be proprerly insulated from the metallic ties .aswell f as from the rails so that danger of short cire,`

cuiting will be entirely eliminated..l

We also propose to provide a railway signal for tracks secured upon metallic or other electric conducting ties, with a laterally. movable contacting bar which is arranged longitudinally with but retained spaced from one of the rails and which is contacted by the wheels of a carto complete-thecircuit with a signal bell or visible signallingrk apparatus. y

A further object of the invention is to provide an electric signal which shall include a spring pressed laterally movable contact plate or bar which is engaged by the flange of a wheel, and withl the `said flange, and the rail adjacent whichthe bar is longitudinally arranged, form apart of an electric circuit to provideffor'the positive operation of the' parts resulting from the interposition between the rail, the contact bar and the fiange of the wheel.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which shall not be affected'by ice, snow, dirt or grease, and which will properly direct the flange of a wheel between a Contact plate and a rail to insure the proper closing of an electric circuit and the operation of a signal.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for supporting ,fa springpressed laterally, movable contact bar in proper spaced relation to a railjwhich is supported by metallicV ties, and., which also;

provides fors-the ready removal or the ready arrangement Aof the said contactbar Aupon the said supports.L A j.

Afurtherob'ject of thezinvention is Vto provide1 supporting means for a longitudinally arrangedjlaterally movable springpressed contact bar, which `is adapted to be sustained in a spaced p ositionlwithvrelation to a rail thatisfsustained upon .channeled metallic ties, wherebyV the said supports may be positionedjbe'tween the channels of the tie, or connected directly to the rail between the'sides of the channeled ties or between the outer sides of two'or moreadj acent ties.

A still further object ofthe invention is toprovidea rail of altracksupported upon `metallic tieswith a longitudinally arranged vcontact bar which is substantially V-shaped inV cross section tol permit ofthe shedding of moisture therefrom, l: to provide insulated brackets for .supporting the'bar, to arrange spring pressedpmembersupon the brackets so thatthebar. will be subjected to a lateral movement inA a direction away from the rail, to provide means fork regulating the tension of the springs and the space between the bar and the rail, to connect the bar and the `rail-.with'an lelectric circuit that is connected n withan electric magnet or`solenoid for operating a ,semaphore or other signal device, and whereinthe broken circuit is completed bythevange o f'awheel'passing between andy contacting with a bar and rail.

yWith the above and other objects in view,; the improvement resides in the construction,

Eatentedaug. 15,1916..

combination and arrangement of parts set forth in the following specification and falling within the scope of the appended claims. In the drawings there has been illustrated `a simple and satisfactory reduction of the improvement to practice, but thenature of the invention is such thatvthe same is susceptible to many and various embodiments in the details of construction, all of which, however, fall within the scope of the appended claims.

' In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of .arailway track illustrating the arrange- 4.nient of our improved. Gontact bar thereon,

Fig. 2 is a view approximately on the line 2 2 of Fig.' 1, Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a bar supporting bracket, Fig. el is a sectional view approximately on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1 illustrating diagrammatically the electric circuit and-its connection with a semaphore signal, Fig. 5 is a detail plan View illustrating another manner of supporting and sustaining the contact bar adjacent the "rails, Fig. 6 is a sectional view approximately on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a'sectional view approximately on the line 7 7 of Fig. 5, Fig. S is a detail plan view illustrating. the

manner in which the brackets Vfor ysustaining the contact bar may be arranged and secured to the substantially -Ushaped or channeled' metallic ties, Fig. is a sectional view approximately on the lline 9 9o'f Fig. 8, Fig.

10 is a sectional view approximately on the' line 10 1O of Fig- 8, Fig. 11 isvv a detail plan view illustrating the l'manner in which4 the Contact bai-"supporting brackets maylbe arranged between the'sides ofthe channeled ties and secured to the adjacent ties, Fig. 12 is a sectional view ,approximately on 'the line 12 12`of Fig. 11, and Fig. 13 is'a sectional view approximately Ion the line 13 13 of Fig. 11.

Owing to the scarcity of timber great ef'- forts have ybeen made in the art to supplant the ordinary wooden ties' by metallicor plastic substance; Properly constructed metallic ties have proven equally -eflicient and moreY durable than the wooden ties, b'ut the `same have proved deficientupon'electric signal devices for the reason that the electric con-y ducting properties possessed thereby result in the short circuiting of energizedl wires.

It is one of the primary objectsfof the present invention to connect an electric vsignal with 'rails supported'upon metallic ties, in such a manner, that danger of shortcircuiting the wires will b'e entirely and eifec-v tively overcome.

As illustrated by the accompanyingdrawings we employ metallic ties 1 inthe nature of channeled members, forming the same, adjacent their ends, withblocks upon which the rails 2 rest, and the said rails are secured upon the said blocks by metallic retaining elements 3; The ties between and'outward of the rail supporting blocksare provided with openings forthe escape of moisture therefrom.

In the structure illustrated inthe drawings, in Figs. 1 to 4 thereof, we arrange be# to engage with the underfa-ce and the base flange at the outer sides of one of the rails cation in each of the arms 15.

2. The numeral 8 designa-tes a clip which has its upper portion formed with an angular Hange 9 conforming to the cross sectional shape of the inner base flange of the railand with which it is adapted to engage. The'clip includes a straight member depending from the lower and horizontal portion of the flange 9, the said straight member, indicated by the numeral 10, having its end formed with an outturned portion `or lug 11 which is adapted to rest upon theplate 5 to contact with the extension (i ofthe bracket ai. Passing through suitable openings inthe members 10 of the clip 8 and the member 6 of the bracket el is a securing element in the nature of a bolt 12 having'a nut 13. Interposed between the {ian-ges 7 and 9of the bracket clip and the base flange as well as a portion of the web o'fl therail 2 is a sheet of insulating material, indicated by the numeral 1l. The plates 5 ofthe brackets extend inwardly of the track, and the said plates are each formed at their ends and at a suitable distance away Vfrom their ends with right angular* upwardly extending arms 15 1. These arms have their upper edges bifurcated, the lower walls of the said bifureations being round, and pivotally secured to one `ofthe said members provided by each of the bifurcations is a bearing or holding m'emberl.l Each of these members is centrally provided with an enlarged portion which'v iits snugly between the bifurcated ends :of the arms 15, and the free ends of each of said members 1G is formed with a centrally reduced portion or tongue 17 that is adapted to'be received in a suitable slot in 4thesecond memberl provided b v the bifur- Adapted to pass lthrough the last mentioned member as `well as through a suitable opening in the tongue 17 `is a'removable securing element, preferably in the nature of acotter pin 1S. The members 1G are adapted to sustain in the bearing .provided byA the bifurcated arms.

15' longitudinally movable rod-s 19, the said rods yhaving their inner ends provided with vertical angular extensions 20 which terminate in'outturned substantially horizontally straight yfeet 21. Removably secured to the feet`21 is a contact bar 22. This bar `is substantially V-shaped in cross section,

so that moisture will be readily shed therefrom and so that dirt, grease, etc., will not be permitted to accumulate between the same and the' head of the rail from which it is spaced. rounded inwardly, or away from the rail 2, so that the fla-nge of a car wheel will be directed between the said bar and the said rail; The rods 19, adjacent their angular extensions 20 are provided with a plurality of spaced apertures23, and passing through one of said apertures' is a pin 24. The pin The ends of the bar 22 areis preferably in the nature of a cotter pin and is adapted to serve as a stop for a washer 25 which is contacted by a spring 2G that surrounds each of the rods 19 and exerts a tension between the outer arms 15 of each of the brackets 4 and the said washers to slide the rods 19 late ally of the rail to bring the contact bar 22 in proper spaced relation to the said rails. This arrangement permits of the adjustment of the springs, and consequently the inward movement of the contact bar toward the rail, so that the flange of a car wheel passing between the rail and bar will readily contact with both the rail and bar, and complete an electric circuit, to operate a signal, in a manner which will presently be described. The arrangement of the rods 19 carrying the contact bar 22, upon the brackets 4, permits of the ready removal or insertion of the said rods upon the brackets, as will be fully understood. It will be also noted thatV none of the parts of the contact member or its support engage or contact with the rail or with the metallic tie, eXcept the flanged portions of the bracket and clip which are secured to the rail, and which, as previously stated, are insulated from the rail, so that danger of short circuiting of the electric wires (hereinafter to be described) will be effectively obviated. As stated the construction of the bar 22 prevents the accumulation of moisture, etc., thereon, and it is to be understood that the spring pressed rods as well as the bracket supports therefor may be closed by a suitable housing to protect the same from the elements.

The bar 22 may be provided upon its upper face with any desired number of apertures, certain of which will serve as an outlet for any accumulation of moisture,. but one of the said apertures is adapted to receive a removable element, preferably in the nature of a screw, which serves as a binding post for a conducting wire 28 which is eX- tended down between the ties beneath the `rail outwardly of the track, and which is connected with a solenoid or electromagnet provided in a semaphore stand 29 for actuating a semaphore arm 30 when the circuit, of which the wire 28 provides one member, is completed. The return wire is indicated by the numeral 31 and communicates with a battery 32, and is connected with a binding' post 33 secured upon the flange of the rail 2. It is, of course, to be understood that the battery 32 is to be arranged in a suitable well and that the wires are suitably protected bv being passed through conduits and also that the semaphore may be arranged any distance from the contact bar 22. It is to be also understood that any number of semaphores and contact ba rs and electric circuits between the same may be employed, the last mentioned arrangement being necessary upon a block signal, and it will be further apparent that when the flanges of the wheels of the rolling stock passing over the track, are arranged to contact between the bar 22 and the rail 2 the broken electric circuit is completed and the arm 30 of the semaphore actuated to bring the arm 30 to danger position. when the wheels of the last car pass the contact bar 22 the semaphore arm 30 will be returned to its initial position.

In Figs. 5 to 7 we have illustrated the brackets 31 which provide bearings for the laterally movable spring pressed rods 32, that carry the contact bar 33, as supported upon wooden blocks 34. These blocks are preferably of a width corresponding with the distance between the sides of the channeled ties 1, but in order to assist in sustaining the said blocks in the ties we force wedge members 35 between the inner faces of the sides of the tie and the outer faces of the sides of the block. the insulation of the wooden blocks 34 we surround the same with a sheet of non-conducting material 36, and we secure the blocks between the sides of the tie by transverse connecting elements, preferably in the nature of lag screws 37 which pass through the sides of the tie and enter through the sid'es of the blocks. These lag screws are also insulated, so that danger of their short circuiting will be effectively overcome. As the laterally movable rods 32 are sustained, upon the brackets 3l, above the tie 1, the contact bar 33 is secured directly to the inner and flattened end of each of the said rods 32. Eachof the rods 32 is provided with a plurality of orifices 38 for the reception of an adjustable pin 39 which serves as a contact member for the spring 40 to limit and adjust the inward movement of the bar 33 with relation to the rail of the track adjacent which it is positioned. The electric connection between the rail, signal and contact bar is substantially similar to that heretofore described. It is desirable that the brackets may be so constructed as to be readily positioned upon a tie between the sides thereof, without the employment of the blocks above referred to, such construction being illustrated in the remaining figures of the drawings.

In Figs. 8 to 10 we have illustrated bracket members 41 which are adapted to be arranged upon the upperl edges and secured between the sides of the channeled ties 1. These brackets each include a substantially rectangular box-like member having the upper edges of its sides provided with outturned horizontally disposed flanges 42. The width of the box-like structures is substantially equal to the distance between the side members of the channeled ties, and the flanges 42 are adapted to rest upon the up In order to insure per edges of said sides of the tie. The end walls 43-43 ot each oi' the brackets 41 are formed with registering openings through which is passed a rod 44, the said openings providing journals or bearings tor the slidable rods. The rods have their inner ends provided with angular upwardly extending portions 45 which terminate in feet 46 which extend inwardly toward the rail adjacent which the brackets are sustained, and secured to the said feet are the longitudinally disposed substantially cross sectionally V-shaped contact bars 47. The rod 44 is provided with a plurality ot apertures for the reception ot an adjustable pin 48 which provides a contact member for a spring 49 which surrounds the rod 44 which exerts a tension between the inner end ot the bracket 41 and the said pin 4S, to slide the contact bar 47 toward the rail and to sustain the same in proper spaced relation with the said rail.

In the remaining iigures of the drawings, the brackets 50 are constructed to be arranged between two or more otl the adjacent ties, and each of the said brackets comprises a body in the form ot' a plate 51, said body having its opposite ends formed with upturned flanges 52, these {ianges being spaced to equal the distance between the adjacent sides ot the ties l, and the said flanges have their ends formed with outwardly extending horizontally disposed 'feet 53 which rest upon the upper edges of the tie. The body plate 5l is centrally provided upon its longitudinal edges with upwardly extending members or ears 544-54, said ears having alining openings Jfor the reception ot' the slidable rods 55. These rods have their ends upturned and provided with horizontal extensions forming supporting elements through which the contact bar 5G is secured. rIhe rods 55, between the ears 54, are provided with a plurality of apertures and passing through one of the apertures is a pin 57 which serves as a stop member for a washer 58. Surrounding the bar and exerting` a tension between the washer and one ot the ears 54 is a spring 59 which forces the contact bar 56 toward the rail 60.

he brackets 4l and 50 have arranged be tween the sides or flanges thereof as well as between the offset horizontal portions formed with the said sides, sheets of insulating material (il, the said material also contacting with the upper edges ot the inner sides ot the channeled metallic ties, the side flanges ot the brackets as well as the sides ot the tie being provided with registering openings, and arranged within the said openings are tubular members constructed of insulated material, indicated by the numerals G9 and passing through the said tubes ,and compressing the ends thereof against the sides ot the tie are bolts 63 which are provided with securing nuts G4, the said securing nuts compressing the inner edges ot' the tubes against the inner' faces of the sides or flanges of the brackets, so that a proper insulation of the brackets from the metallic ties is thus effectively provided.

It is to be understood that the electric circuits in the last mentioned form ot the device are substantially similar to that previously described, and also that the circuits may be arranged to sound an audible as well as a visible alarm, it' desired, and trom the above description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the simplicity of the device, as well as the advantages thereof will, it is thought, be perfectly apparent to those skilled in the art to which such invention appertains without further detailed description.

Having thus described the what we claim is:

l. The combination with a rail supported upon ties, and brackets insulated from the rails and ties, of longitudinally movable spr-ing pressed rods in the brackets, and an angular contact bar secured to the rods and sustained longitudinally ot and spaced from the rail.

2. The combination with a rail supported upon ties, and brackets insulated from the rail and ties, ot' removable rods arranged invention,

for slidable movement in the brackets, means :tor limiting the sliding ot the said rods, and an angular contact bar secured to the rods and retained thereby in spaced relation to the rail.

3. The combination with a rail supported upon ties, and brackets insulated from the rail and ties, ot rods arranged for slidable movement in the brackets, means tor removably retaining the rods in the brackets, springs for sliding the rods in one direction and toward the rail, means for regulating the tension o' the springs and the sliding movement of the rods, tact bar secured to the rods and sustained thereby in a spaced relation to the rail.

4. The combination with a rail supported upon ties, and brackets insulated from the rail and ties, spaced arms upon the brackets, ot longitudinally movable rods journaled in the said arms, means tor removably sustaining said rods in the said journals, springs for moving-the rods in one direction and toward the rail, means for regulating the tension of the spring and the said slid-- ing movement of the rods, and an angular contact bar secured to the rods and sustained longitudinally ot but spaced from the rail.

and an angular con-I The combination with a rail, of a lon gitudinally extending contact bar disposed iso its inner edge pointed and disposed oppo- In testimony whereof We aiix our signasite the head of the. rail, supports, spring tures in presence of tWo Witnesses. pressed rods sldable in the said supports means for removably securing the said rods glh 5 upon the supports, means for adjusting the tension of the springs to regulate the slid- Witnesses: ing movement of the rods, and said Contact Homin JAMES ALEXANDER, bnr being secured to said rods. EMERY E. KNoLL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

